Average
#2732 of 4,739 schools in NY
PS 253
Elementary School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21
601 OCEANVIEW AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11235
Enrollment
913
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
913
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brooklyn
#360 of 570
public schools
New York elementary schools
#1,526 of 2,549
In district
#33 of 40
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About PS 253
PS 253 stands out as a high-performing elementary school serving 913 students from kindergarten through fifth grade in Brooklyn's 11235 neighborhood. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 and 62 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides a well-staffed learning environment that clearly supports student achievement. The academic results are impressive, with 76% of students performing proficiently or above in ELA/reading and an outstanding 82% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
This strong performance has earned PS 253 recognition as the 464th-ranked elementary school out of 4,758 schools statewide, placing it in the 90th percentile among New York schools. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 reflects its commitment to academic excellence. PS 253 serves a diverse community where half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income is $61,320.
The school draws families from a neighborhood with a mix of economic backgrounds, with a 16.7% poverty rate that speaks to the community's varied demographics. Located on Oceanview Avenue in Brooklyn's vibrant residential landscape, PS 253 operates within one of New York City's most densely populated areas, offering students the advantages of urban educational resources while maintaining a strong neighborhood school identity.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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PS 253 — Students at PS 253 score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
90.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 8 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.4/10.
How PS 253 Compares
See how PS 253 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 92% (2019) to 90% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 69.5% (2021).
Location
601 OCEANVIEW AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11235
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering PS 253 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 225 EILEEN E ZAGLIN (THE) (rated 8.5/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 195 MANHATTAN BEACH (rated 8.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PS 100 CONEY ISLAND SCHOOL (THE) (rated 7.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Brooklyn, see our Brooklyn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM E GRADY CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.2 mi | 8.0 |
| PS 771 Brooklyn | 0.3 mi | 7.1 |
| PS 225 EILEEN E ZAGLIN (THE) Brooklyn | 0.3 mi | 8.5 |
| ABRAHAM LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| PS 209 MARGARET MEAD Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 4.7 |
| SHULAMITH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS OF BROOKLYN Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 5.9 |
| PS 370 Brooklyn | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| IS 98 BAY ACADEMY Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| YESHIVAT MAGEN ABRAHAM Brooklyn | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| PS 100 CONEY ISLAND SCHOOL (THE) Brooklyn | 0.5 mi | 7.4 |
| RACHEL CARSON HIGH SCHOOL FOR COASTAL STUDIES Brooklyn | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| AHI EZER YESHIVA SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| IS 303 HERBERT S EISENBERG Brooklyn | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| CONEY ISLAND PREPARATORY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn | 0.6 mi | 4.4 |
| PS 216 ARTURO TOSCANINI Brooklyn | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| ST MARK CATHOLIC ACADEMY Brooklyn | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| OUR LADY OF GRACE CATHOLIC ACADEMY Brooklyn | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| PS 254 DAG HAMMARSKJOLD Brooklyn | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| YESHIVAT DARCHE ERES BOYS HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn | 1.0 mi | 3.3 |
| PS 195 MANHATTAN BEACH Brooklyn | 1.0 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11235 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,689
Median Home Value
$723,900
Median Rent
$1,649/mo
Population
81,958
College Educated
49.6%
Homeownership
37%
Avg Commute
42.5 min
Poverty Rate
17.4%
Median Age
47.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding PS 253 has a median household income of $61,689. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $723,900, with a median rent of $1,649/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.4%. The average commute in the area is 43 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| MARLBORO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Marlboro, NY | 6.1 |
| OTISVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Otisville, NY | 6.1 |
| PARK AVENUE SCHOOL Westbury, NY | 6.1 |
| PS 177 MARLBORO (THE) Brooklyn, NY | 6.1 |
| PS 226 ALFRED DE B MASON Brooklyn, NY | 6.1 |
| PS 92 HARRY T STEWART SR Corona, NY | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PS 253
What grades does PS 253 serve?
PS 253 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend PS 253?
PS 253 has an enrollment of approximately 913 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at PS 253?
The student-teacher ratio at PS 253 is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does PS 253 rank in NY?
PS 253 is ranked #2732 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is PS 253's MySchoolScout rating?
PS 253 has a composite rating of 6.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at PS 253?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, PS 253 has 86.3% math proficiency and 74.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is PS 253 a charter school?
No, PS 253 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is PS 253 a Title I school?
No, PS 253 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for PS 253?
90.5% of students at PS 253 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 913
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 62
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 90.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kings County
- Phone
- (718) 332-3331
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21- District Enrollment
- 34,525
- Schools in District
- 40
- District Rank
- #33 of 40
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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